Today's Current Affairs 8th November 2023

INTERNATIONAL

Chile becomes 95th member of International Solar Alliance ISA

• Chile has recently become the 95th member of the International Solar Alliance (ISA).
• ISA was initially conceived as a joint effort by India and France.

 G7 Foreign Ministers Meet in Japan, With the Israel-Gaza Conflict as a Key Focus

• The Group of Seven (G7) foreign ministers’ meetings held this week have taken center stage in addressing the Israel-Hamas conflict and the ensuing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
• Japan, which chairs this year’s G7 meetings, hosted the discussions.
• S. Secretary of State Blinken engaged in bilateral talks with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa.

 NATIONAL

FM Nirmala Sitharaman Launches 12 GST Seva Kendras in Vapi, Gujarat

• Vapi, Gujarat, Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman, inaugurated 12 Goods and Services Tax (GST) Seva Kendras.
• She recognized and rewarded the participants of the “Mera Bill Mera Adhikaar” (MBMA) scheme.

 Government Launches ‘Bharat Atta’ Initiative for Affordable Wheat Flour

• Under the ‘Bharat’ brand, Piyush Goyal has initiated the sale of wheat flour (Atta) at prices not exceeding ₹27.50 per kilogram.

 SPORTS

Vidit Gujrathi, Vaishali R Claim Titles at FIDE Grand Swiss Chess Event

• Indian chess players Vidit Gujrathi and R Vaishali achieved remarkable victories at the FIDE Grand Swiss Chess 2023 held on the Isle of Man.
• R Vaishali was rewarded with a handsome prize purse of over 20 lakh rupees.
• Vidit Gujrathi’s triumph was even more rewarding, with a whopping prize purse of over 66 lakh rupees.

 APPOINTMENTS AND RESIGNATIONS

Hitesh Kumar S Makwana appointed Surveyor General of India

• Prior to this appointment, he served as an Additional Secretary in the Union Home Ministry.

 SUMMITS AND MOU’S

Ministry of Tourism, GOI participates in WTM 2023, London from 6 – 8 November 2023

• Union Ministry of Tourism, is participating in the prestigious World Travel Market (WTM) in London from 6 to 8, 2023.
• Theme ‘Incredible India! Visit India Year 2023.’

 AWARDS AND RECOGNITION

Apolinaris D’Souza Honored With the 19th ‘Kalakar Puraskar’ Award

• The 19th edition of the prestigious ‘Kalakar Puraskar,’ organized by the Carvalho Household of Kundapura in association with Mandd Sobhann, Mangaluru, was awarded to Apolinaris D’Souza.
• The award ceremony took place on the 5th of November 2023, during a public event held at Kalaagann, Mangaluru.

 RANKING

QS Asia University Rankings 2024: IIT Bombay and IIT Delhi within Top 50

• Two prestigious Indian institutions, IIT Bombay and IIT Delhi, showcased their academic strength by securing positions within the top 50.
• IIT Bombay, maintaining its status as India’s leading institution, secured an impressive 40th position in the Asian rankings.

 BANKING AND ECONOMY

Axis Bank Partners With IRMA to Promote Financial Inclusion and Literacy in India

• Axis Bank and the Institute of Rural Management Anand (IRMA) entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish the Axis Bank Chair for financial inclusion at IRMA.
• The Axis Bank Chair for Financial Inclusion has been established for a period of five years.
• Group Executive & Head – Bharat Banking, Axis Bank: Munish Sharda.
• Director of IRMA: Dr. Umakant Dash.